So many people ask me ‘are Jack Russells affectionate?’ This affectionate dog breed gets along well with their owners and often children, but they are typically not friendly toward other dogs. Jack Russell terriers have a high prey drive and make good hunters, so owners will possible want to keep them on leashes when in public to avoid injury or escape.
Introducing the Jack Russell Terrier
As a hunting dog bred specifically for chasing foxes other animals, Jack Russell terriers require a high amount of daily activity. While they are excellent pets for people who can provide this level of stimulation, they may not be suited to owners with low exercise tolerance or an apartment lifestyle.
Are Jack Russells Affectionate to their Owners?
It is true that Jack Russell terriers are very affectionate to their owners. They bond quickly with their owners when adopted as adults dogs. Most Jack Russell owners say that they are velcro dogs – sitting by your side and following you everywhere that you go! Once you have a positive bond with your Jack Russell you will be likely to be able to stroke and cuddle it and your dog will be affectionate towards you.
These dogs aim to please their owners and this is why they are great dogs for doing tricks. Properly trained Jack Russells can also be excellent watchdogs for home safety.
Are Jack Russells affectionate towards children?
Jack Russells can be affectionate towards children if they have been well socialised with kids from a puppy and as long as the children are respectful of the dog. Get your puppy used to the children in your family giving them treats and doing training with them. Discourage your children from running fast and screaming near the dog as this can cause a Jack Russell to be snappy. Teach your children to stroke the dog gently and teach them what not to do e.g. pulling tail or ears. Remember never to leave a dog or child alone together as if a dog snaps or becomes aggressive this can be dangerous.
Are Jack Russells affectionate to other dogs or pets?
Because Jack Russell terriers have such a high prey drive, it is important to socialize them properly from a young age and train them using positive reinforcement methods so that they do not take their aggression out on other dogs or other animals in the home. If you have a reactive Jack Russell it may not be a good idea to introduce cats or other small furry creatures (rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters) into the home. Remember that Jack Russells were bred to hunt and kill and this is an instinct making it very difficult to train out of them.
Additional Training that your Jack Russell might need
They also require ongoing obedience training because some of the breed’s natural instincts include digging holes and chewing objects like shoes and furniture. As working dogs bred for hunting, these tendencies should be modified as much as possible with appropriate training. In addition to their physical needs, Jack Russells require owners who are consistent and patient. The breed has a high energy level that makes them active throughout the day, so people who do not have the time to provide daily exercise should consider another dog instead.
The Overall Verdict
Jack Russell terriers make excellent family pets for owners who can successfully modify their natural instincts, of but they may not be the right breed for everyone.
If you are considering adopting a Jack Russell, please research the associated costs of ownership before adopting one into your home. Do not adopt from an untrustworthy breeder or pet store – always adopt from a shelter or rescue organization whenever possible . This will ensure your pup comes with proper shots and spay/neuter information, as lieu well as increased likelihood of being socialized properly by a professional.
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Raising a Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
